Princeton engineers contribute many aspects of security – from creating a more secure Internet to helping communities withstand natural disasters to improving technologies needed for national defense. Confined to no single academic department, security is an area where engineers combine fundamental research and a spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration. The Center for Information Technology Policy conducts research at the intersection of technology and society, including issues of privacy and security.

An organization of academics and industry leaders released a report today that provides guidance on how to build security and privacy protections into the emerging internet of things (IoT). The report emphasizes several recommendations for internet-connected devices, ranging from improved procedures for updating software on those devices to ensuring that those devices can continue to function if internet access is disrupted.

In a paper presented at the 2016 ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security on Oct. 27, researchers describe a system called PREDATOR that distinguishes between legitimate and malicious purchasers of new websites. The system yields important insights into how those two groups behave differently online even before the malicious users have done anything obviously bad or harmful. These early signs can help security professionals take preemptive measures.

Citing concerns about security and accuracy, Professor of Computer Science Andrew Appel urged Congress during a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday to eliminate "touchscreen" voting machines after this November's election.